Gypsy Goddess solidifies Australian Oaks favouritism

By Glenn Davis

Star filly Gypsy Goddess has solidified her position at the top of the market in next month’s Group 1 Australian Oaks following her explosive return to racing at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Gypsy Goddess, having her first start since winning the Group 3 Grand Prix in mid-December, stretched her unbeaten run to five, with a crushing three-and-a-half length win over Merimee in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1600 metres.

In a Winx-like performance, Gypsy Goddess tailed the field until just before the home turn before arrogantly swooping on the leaders half way down the straight.

Gypsy Goddess’ win saw her elevated to a $6 favourite in an early TAB markets for the Australian Oaks over 2400 metres at Randwick on April 9.

Trainer David Vandyke had planned to start Gypsy Goddess at Ipswich last Wednesday but was reluctant to risk her first-up on a rain-affected track.

“I went the early crow about the 400. That was an amazing effort when you think she was topweight and at a mile first-up,” Vandyke said.

“Did she get tired?  – I don’t think she got warmed up.

“She’s got big lungs, a big heart and she’s very relaxed.”

Vandyke said Gypsy Goddess would now head south at the end of this week for the Group 1 Vinery Stakes over 1600 metres at Rosehill on March 26, two weeks before the Australian Oaks.

Meanwhile trainer Rob Heathcote, Stu Kendrick and the training partnership of Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted celebrated Eagle Farm’s reopening with a training double each.

Kendrick won the Class 6 Plate with Star Of Michelin and the Class 3 Plate with Menazzi, while O’Dea and Hoysted’s winners were Osamu in the Class 3 Plate and Contemptous in the Open Handicap.

Heathcote’s double came via Savvy Oak in the Benchmark 68 Handicap and the heavily backed Sweet Margot May in the QTIS three-Year-Old Handicap over 1300 metres.

Savvy Oak’s win was the six-year-old's fourth win of his 45-start career and was his first victory since winning at Flemington in November, 2019.

“I was in primary school the last time he won,” Heathcote joked.

“We were going to sack him 6 or 8 weeks ago but he kept doing enough.

“He was a good horse in his younger days and finished second in a Group 1 (South Australian Derby in 2019).”